Acidification

Aragonite saturation

Figure App.E.10.29.. Aragonite saturations are shown at 75 meters (m) (green), 150 m (blue) and 300 m (red) at Anacapa Island. As pH of seawater decreases (e.g., from the deposition of atmospheric CO2), the saturation state of aragonite (Ωarg) decreases. Aragonite undersaturation (Ωarg < 1) favors dissolution over calcification, making it harder for organisms to make and maintain their shells or skeletons in the case of corals. In coastal upwelling zones, such as the California Current, the aragonite saturation state and depth are variable and shallow, respectively. With ocean acidification, aragonite saturation depths have shoaled over the past three decades and are now typically around 200 m in the California Current (Turi et al. 2016). At the local scale at Anacapa Island, the aragonite saturation depth has hovered around 130 m over the past eight years. As strong of a shoaling trend as at the California Current scale has not been seen. Instead, he usual seasonal variation but relatively stable aragonite saturation states over time (no trend), particularly in deep water, have been seen. Figure: Etnoyer et al. 2015

Figure App.E.10.29.. Aragonite saturations are shown at 75 meters (m) (green), 150 m (blue) and 300 m (red) at Anacapa Island. As pH of seawater decreases (e.g., from the deposition of atmospheric CO2), the saturation state of aragonite (Ωarg) decreases. Aragonite undersaturation (Ωarg < 1) favors dissolution over calcification, making it harder for organisms to make and maintain their shells or skeletons in the case of corals. In coastal upwelling zones, such as the California Current, the aragonite saturation state and depth are variable and shallow, respectively. With ocean acidification, aragonite saturation depths have shoaled over the past three decades and are now typically around 200 m in the California Current (Turi et al. 2016). At the local scale at Anacapa Island, the aragonite saturation depth has hovered around 130 m over the past eight years. As strong of a shoaling trend as at the California Current scale has not been seen. Instead, he usual seasonal variation but relatively stable aragonite saturation states over time (no trend), particularly in deep water, have been seen. Figure: Etnoyer et al. 2015

Contaminants

Domoic Acid

Figure App.D.7.1. Domoic acid levels in parts per million (ppm) in commercially-important crustaceans (triangles) and bivalves (circles) collected from the Santa Barbara Channel between 2012 and 2013 are shown on the y-axis for (A) animals collected near the shore of the mainland coast, and (B) animals collected offshore the mainland coast or near the northern Channel Islands. In the cases that are colored red, domoic acid levels measured above the California Department of Public Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration action limits: 20 ppm for meat and 30 ppm for viscera. Figure: C. Culver/CA Sea Grant, unpublished data

Figure App.D.7.1. Domoic acid levels in parts per million (ppm) in commercially-important crustaceans (triangles) and bivalves (circles) collected from the Santa Barbara Channel between 2012 and 2013 are shown on the y-axis for (A) animals collected near the shore of the mainland coast, and (B) animals collected offshore the mainland coast or near the northern Channel Islands. In the cases that are colored red, domoic acid levels measured above the California Department of Public Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration action limits: 20 ppm for meat and 30 ppm for viscera. Figure: C. Culver/CA Sea Grant, unpublished data

Figure App.D.7.3. In May 2015, an unprecedented West Coast-wide harmful algal bloom (HAB) extended from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California. The bloom was composed of Pseudo-nitzschia, a toxigenic diatom that has the ability to produce domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and threaten human health if affected shellfish are consumed. These satellite images show chlorophyll-a estimates averaged over the periods of March 27–31, 2015 (left panel), and May, 6–8, 2015 (right panel). Data source: Satellite data were obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) using a combination of the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Aqua and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) chlorophyll products. Data were processed using standard OBPG processing with 4 kilometer imagery. Figure: McCabe et al. 2016

Figure App.D.7.3. In May 2015, an unprecedented West Coast-wide harmful algal bloom (HAB) extended from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California. The bloom was composed of Pseudo-nitzschia, a toxigenic diatom that has the ability to produce domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and threaten human health if affected shellfish are consumed. These satellite images show chlorophyll-a estimates averaged over the periods of March 27–31, 2015 (left panel), and May, 6–8, 2015 (right panel). Data source: Satellite data were obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) using a combination of the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Aqua and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) chlorophyll products. Data were processed using standard OBPG processing with 4 kilometer imagery. Figure: McCabe et al. 2016

App.E.11.10_BenthicResponseIndexSCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Benthic Response Index - Trend by region’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.11_2013BRI_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Benthic Response Index - Condition by site’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.12_DDT_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘DDT in sediments’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.13_Copper_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Copper in sediments’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.14_Silver_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Silver in sediments’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.15_PBDEs_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘PBDEs in sediments’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.16_Pyrethroids_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Pyrethroids in sediments’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.17_%SedimentContam_SCCWRP Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Contaminants in sediments - Trends by region’ and link to Deep seafloor habitat App.E.11.2 Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Arsenic in mussels’. Link to rocky shores habitat App.E.11.3 Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Iron in mussels’. Link to rocky shores habitat App.E.11.4 Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Silver in mussels’. Link to rocky shores habitat App.E.11.5 Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘Heavy metals in mussels’. Link to rocky shores habitat App.E.11.6 Add tab to Human Health and Contaminants - Tab label ‘PAHs in mussels’. Link to rocky shores habitat

Fishing

Landings

Commercial
Figure App.C.4.4.. Trends over time in commercial fishing activity in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) based on landings pounds (blue bars) and value (dark blue line) for seven fisheries from 2000 to 2012. Landings were combined for twenty-two blocks that overlap substantially with the sanctuary (see Figure App.C4.3. for map). Landings for market squid, sardine, and anchovy declined recently while landings of crabs increased. Landings of sea urchin, spiny lobster, and prawn and shrimp were relatively stable. Figure: Leeworthy et al. 2014a

Figure App.C.4.4.. Trends over time in commercial fishing activity in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) based on landings pounds (blue bars) and value (dark blue line) for seven fisheries from 2000 to 2012. Landings were combined for twenty-two blocks that overlap substantially with the sanctuary (see Figure App.C4.3. for map). Landings for market squid, sardine, and anchovy declined recently while landings of crabs increased. Landings of sea urchin, spiny lobster, and prawn and shrimp were relatively stable. Figure: Leeworthy et al. 2014a

Recreational
Figure App.C.4.2.. Fishing activity landings for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Activity landings in 2011 and 2012 returned to levels seen in the early 2000s. Figure: Chen et al. 2015b

Figure App.C.4.2.. Fishing activity landings for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Activity landings in 2011 and 2012 returned to levels seen in the early 2000s. Figure: Chen et al. 2015b

Deep-water
Figure App.C.3.2.. Landings (in pounds) and the relative contribution of gear types has changed over time due to changing regulations, economics, and consumer demand. Since 2002, there is zero to minimal set net and trawl landings, and reduced landings for bottom longlines and traps until 2008, followed by a dramatic increase in bottom longline and trap landings to peak levels. Data source: CDFW; Figure: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

Figure App.C.3.2.. Landings (in pounds) and the relative contribution of gear types has changed over time due to changing regulations, economics, and consumer demand. Since 2002, there is zero to minimal set net and trawl landings, and reduced landings for bottom longlines and traps until 2008, followed by a dramatic increase in bottom longline and trap landings to peak levels. Data source: CDFW; Figure: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

Maps of Fishing

Trawling
Figure App.C.3.3.. Trawling landings across the Southern California Bight, as illustrated by CDFW 10 square kilometer blocks and shown along with known locations of stony deep-water corals. Trawling is known to disturb bottom habitats and deep-sea corals. Even though trawling effort has decreased in recent years, the impacts of this gear type can be long lived. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015

Figure App.C.3.3.. Trawling landings across the Southern California Bight, as illustrated by CDFW 10 square kilometer blocks and shown along with known locations of stony deep-water corals. Trawling is known to disturb bottom habitats and deep-sea corals. Even though trawling effort has decreased in recent years, the impacts of this gear type can be long lived. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015

Fixed Gear
Figure App.C.3.4.. Historical landings of fixed gear that could impact benthic habitats are shown along with the locations of deep-sea gorgonians in the map above. Fixed gear usage is moderate around the Channel Islands and likely impacts gorgonians in CINMS habitats. Data is from 2007 to 2011. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015

Figure App.C.3.4.. Historical landings of fixed gear that could impact benthic habitats are shown along with the locations of deep-sea gorgonians in the map above. Fixed gear usage is moderate around the Channel Islands and likely impacts gorgonians in CINMS habitats. Data is from 2007 to 2011. Data source: CDFW, Perry et al 2010; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA, Etnoyer et al. 2015

Trawl & Fixed Gear with MPAs
Figure App.C.3.5.. Overlay of trawl and fixed gear fishing activity from 2007 to 2011 and protected areas is shown in the map above. Much of the landings is off the Santa Barbara mainland coast; however, fixed gear usage regularly occurs in sanctuary waters. Data source: CDFW; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

Figure App.C.3.5.. Overlay of trawl and fixed gear fishing activity from 2007 to 2011 and protected areas is shown in the map above. Much of the landings is off the Santa Barbara mainland coast; however, fixed gear usage regularly occurs in sanctuary waters. Data source: CDFW; Map: P. Etnoyer/NOAA

Marine Debris

Figure App.C.4.14. Marine debris estimates modeled along the mainland southern California coast based on debris measured by the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program. Marine debris was relatively constant across the last five years of this time series (1999-2007) and within historic levels. Data source: Ribic et al. 2012; Figure: K. Andrews/NOAA

Figure App.C.4.14. Marine debris estimates modeled along the mainland southern California coast based on debris measured by the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program. Marine debris was relatively constant across the last five years of this time series (1999-2007) and within historic levels. Data source: Ribic et al. 2012; Figure: K. Andrews/NOAA

Figure App.C.4.15. Variation over time in percentage of stations from winter CalCOFI cruises with plastic micro-debris. Micro-debris was present in more than 50 percent of samples at each time period. Figure: Gilfillan et al. 2009

Figure App.C.4.15. Variation over time in percentage of stations from winter CalCOFI cruises with plastic micro-debris. Micro-debris was present in more than 50 percent of samples at each time period. Figure: Gilfillan et al. 2009

Figure App.C.4.16. Spatial distribution, concentration, and characteristics of plastic micro-debris in net samples from the CalCOFI region from winter cruises in (A) 1984, (B) 1994, and (C) 2007. Open circles indicate no plastic debris detected and filled circle diameter are proportional to particle concentrations (number per cubic meter). There was no relationship between the numerical concentration of particles and distance from shore, the presumed source of the majority of debris. Figure: Gilfillan et al. 2009

Figure App.C.4.16. Spatial distribution, concentration, and characteristics of plastic micro-debris in net samples from the CalCOFI region from winter cruises in (A) 1984, (B) 1994, and (C) 2007. Open circles indicate no plastic debris detected and filled circle diameter are proportional to particle concentrations (number per cubic meter). There was no relationship between the numerical concentration of particles and distance from shore, the presumed source of the majority of debris. Figure: Gilfillan et al. 2009

Ambient Levels

Figure App.C.4.13.. Ambient noise levels in the Santa Barbara Channel represented as monthly averages for 40 Hz (red) and 90 Hz (blue) bands. The decline in ambient noise levels observed between 2007 and 2010 reflects decreased regional shipping activity during that time. While ambient noise has increased since 2010, it has not returned to the higher levels observed in 2007 to 2008. Data sources: McKenna et al. 2012, J. Hildebrand/ UCSD unpub. data; Figure: J. Hildebrand/SIO UCSD

Figure App.C.4.13.. Ambient noise levels in the Santa Barbara Channel represented as monthly averages for 40 Hz (red) and 90 Hz (blue) bands. The decline in ambient noise levels observed between 2007 and 2010 reflects decreased regional shipping activity during that time. While ambient noise has increased since 2010, it has not returned to the higher levels observed in 2007 to 2008. Data sources: McKenna et al. 2012, J. Hildebrand/ UCSD unpub. data; Figure: J. Hildebrand/SIO UCSD

Monitoring Stations

Figure App.C.2.8.. Previous (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations in and around CINMS are shown along with several sources of anthropogenic noise: ports and harbors, oil platforms, shipping lanes, and military testing zones. SIO = Scripps Institution of Oceanography; NOAA NRS = Noise Reference Station. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Figure App.C.2.8.. Previous (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations in and around CINMS are shown along with several sources of anthropogenic noise: ports and harbors, oil platforms, shipping lanes, and military testing zones. SIO = Scripps Institution of Oceanography; NOAA NRS = Noise Reference Station. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Oil & Gas

Figure App.C.4.17.. The status and trends of offshore oil and gas activity in southern California was measured using a normalized index of oil and gas production from offshore wells in state and federal waters in California. Activity has been stable over the last five years, but the short-term average was well below the long-term average (dashed green line). A rather steady decrease in oil and gas production has occurred since the mid-1990s. Data source: Annual reports of the California State Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; Figure: K. Andrews/NOAA

Figure App.C.4.17.. The status and trends of offshore oil and gas activity in southern California was measured using a normalized index of oil and gas production from offshore wells in state and federal waters in California. Activity has been stable over the last five years, but the short-term average was well below the long-term average (dashed green line). A rather steady decrease in oil and gas production has occurred since the mid-1990s. Data source: Annual reports of the California State Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; Figure: K. Andrews/NOAA

Oil & Gas Maps

Offshore Oil Platforms
Figure App.C.2.1.. Map of offshore oil platforms within the Santa Barbara Channel, from west to east: Hondo, Harmony, Heritage, Holly, C, B, A, Hillhouse, Habitat, Henry, Houchin, Hogan, Rincon Island, Grace, Gilda, Gail, and Gina. Data source: State of California GeoPortal; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Figure App.C.2.1.. Map of offshore oil platforms within the Santa Barbara Channel, from west to east: Hondo, Harmony, Heritage, Holly, C, B, A, Hillhouse, Habitat, Henry, Houchin, Hogan, Rincon Island, Grace, Gilda, Gail, and Gina. Data source: State of California GeoPortal; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

2015 Refugio Oil Spill
Figure App.C.2.3.. Diagonal black lines cover the area where oil sheen was observed after the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. The dark black line indicates the short-term fishery closures. See Figures C2.4 and C13.5 for the modeled oil transport, which predicts crude oil reaching sanctuary waters, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz islands north-facing beaches days after the spill. Data source: Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) Shoreline Oiling Map: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/resources/shoreline-cleanup-and-assessment-technique-scat.html. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Figure App.C.2.3.. Diagonal black lines cover the area where oil sheen was observed after the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. The dark black line indicates the short-term fishery closures. See Figures C2.4 and C13.5 for the modeled oil transport, which predicts crude oil reaching sanctuary waters, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz islands north-facing beaches days after the spill. Data source: Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) Shoreline Oiling Map: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/resources/shoreline-cleanup-and-assessment-technique-scat.html. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Figure App.C.2.4.. Modeled oil trajectories based on high frequency (HF) radar and averaged sea surface current vectors during the month of May 2015 (green and blue lines). Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS HF Radar stations, and oil platforms are shown as small gray dots. The HF station at Gaviota was installed immediately after the spill to avoid local data gaps during this critical monitoring time period. It was only active for one and a half months. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point; SSD = Summerland Sanitary District; MGS = Mandalay Generating Station; SCI = Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicate commercial shipping lanes. The black line encircles the region of interest. Figure: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB

Figure App.C.2.4.. Modeled oil trajectories based on high frequency (HF) radar and averaged sea surface current vectors during the month of May 2015 (green and blue lines). Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS HF Radar stations, and oil platforms are shown as small gray dots. The HF station at Gaviota was installed immediately after the spill to avoid local data gaps during this critical monitoring time period. It was only active for one and a half months. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point; SSD = Summerland Sanitary District; MGS = Mandalay Generating Station; SCI = Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicate commercial shipping lanes. The black line encircles the region of interest. Figure: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB

Figure App.C.2.5.. Daily snapshots of oil transport simulations (blue dots) based on near-real time sea surface current direction and speeds (black arrows) from May 20 to 25, 2015, the days just after the Refugio oil spill. Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS high frequency radar (HFR) observation stations. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point. Not pictured is a HFR station at Gaviota, which was temporarily installed for one and half months following the spill (currently no longer active, see http://washburnlab.msi.ucsb.edu/mtu1) to address local data gaps. Not labeled is the yellow triangle/HFR station on Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicated commercial shipping lanes. The full oil transport model simulation can be viewed online: http://sccoos.org/about/news/2015-refugio-state-beach-oil-spill/. Source: SCCOOS: http://sccoos.org/about/news/2015-refugio-state-beach-oil-spill/; Figure: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB

Figure App.C.2.5.. Daily snapshots of oil transport simulations (blue dots) based on near-real time sea surface current direction and speeds (black arrows) from May 20 to 25, 2015, the days just after the Refugio oil spill. Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS high frequency radar (HFR) observation stations. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point. Not pictured is a HFR station at Gaviota, which was temporarily installed for one and half months following the spill (currently no longer active, see http://washburnlab.msi.ucsb.edu/mtu1) to address local data gaps. Not labeled is the yellow triangle/HFR station on Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicated commercial shipping lanes. The full oil transport model simulation can be viewed online: http://sccoos.org/about/news/2015-refugio-state-beach-oil-spill/. Source: SCCOOS: http://sccoos.org/about/news/2015-refugio-state-beach-oil-spill/; Figure: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB

Seabird disturbance

Figure App.C.4.9. Rates of human-caused disturbance to seabird breeding and roosting sites were low on Santa Cruz Island (SC) compared to other sites across the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR) study regions. Activities noted as causing disturbance at SC in 2012 to 2013 were human power boats, recreational fishing boats, recreational power boats, commercial fishing boats, airplanes, and helicopters. SD = San Diego, PV = Palos Verdes Peninsula, SB = Shell Beach, MD = Montaña de Oro, EB = Estero Bluffs, MO = Montara, PR = Point Reyes, BO = Bodega. Figure: Robinette et al. 2015

Figure App.C.4.9. Rates of human-caused disturbance to seabird breeding and roosting sites were low on Santa Cruz Island (SC) compared to other sites across the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR) study regions. Activities noted as causing disturbance at SC in 2012 to 2013 were human power boats, recreational fishing boats, recreational power boats, commercial fishing boats, airplanes, and helicopters. SD = San Diego, PV = Palos Verdes Peninsula, SB = Shell Beach, MD = Montaña de Oro, EB = Estero Bluffs, MO = Montara, PR = Point Reyes, BO = Bodega. Figure: Robinette et al. 2015

Traffic Patterns

Figure App.C.4.12.. Traffic patterns of large commercial vessels (cargo and tanker vessels) in the Santa Barbara Channel region for 2008, 2010, and 2014. The number of commercial ship transits is shown, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data transmitted from ships. Vessels transiting to and from the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach that pass by the northern Channel Islands use either the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme around the north side of the islands, or take routes south of the islands. Data source: USCG AIS data, processed by NMFS; Figure: MSWGSS 2016

Figure App.C.4.12.. Traffic patterns of large commercial vessels (cargo and tanker vessels) in the Santa Barbara Channel region for 2008, 2010, and 2014. The number of commercial ship transits is shown, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data transmitted from ships. Vessels transiting to and from the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach that pass by the northern Channel Islands use either the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme around the north side of the islands, or take routes south of the islands. Data source: USCG AIS data, processed by NMFS; Figure: MSWGSS 2016

Vessel Groundings

Figure App.C.3.1.. Reported vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016 are shown in the map above. Not all groundings in the CINMS database are included as coordinates are unavailable for some grounding events. Data source: Vessel Assist; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Figure App.C.3.1.. Reported vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016 are shown in the map above. Not all groundings in the CINMS database are included as coordinates are unavailable for some grounding events. Data source: Vessel Assist; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA

Whale entanglement

Figure App.C.4.10. Annual number of large whale entanglements reported (blue) and confirmed (red) along the U.S. West Coast. Reports of entanglements have increased in recent years. Factors contributing to this trend likely include an increasing overlap of whale activities (e.g., migrating, feeding) with human activities that have the potential to entangle whales (e.g., fishing, buoy installation) and an increase in on-the-water observers likely to report entangled individuals (e.g., whale watching, recreational boating). Confirmed entanglements from 2000 to 2015 of gray and humpback whales include 11 from Santa Barbara and two from Ventura counties. Figure: D. Lawson/NMFS WCRO PRD

Figure App.C.4.10. Annual number of large whale entanglements reported (blue) and confirmed (red) along the U.S. West Coast. Reports of entanglements have increased in recent years. Factors contributing to this trend likely include an increasing overlap of whale activities (e.g., migrating, feeding) with human activities that have the potential to entangle whales (e.g., fishing, buoy installation) and an increase in on-the-water observers likely to report entangled individuals (e.g., whale watching, recreational boating). Confirmed entanglements from 2000 to 2015 of gray and humpback whales include 11 from Santa Barbara and two from Ventura counties. Figure: D. Lawson/NMFS WCRO PRD

Overlap with Fishing

Blue

Fin

Humpback

Figure App.C.4.11. Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) for blue (top), fin (middle), and humpback (bottom) whales. In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. Figure: Saez et al. 2013